AAC Basketball: Top 10 returning players for 2019-20 season

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats reacts during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Tre Scott #13 of the Cincinnati Bearcats reacts during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

10. Tre Scott

Coming in at number 10 on the list of the top returners we’ve gone with Cincinnati Bearcats forward Tre Scott. Scott is a player who started every game for the Bearcats this past year and showed great improvement in his game towards the end of the year. The 6-8 big man earned his way on to the American Championship All-Conference Team after helping the Bearcats earn the AAC title. He’s known for his physical play and his defensive ability, his numbers might not pop out at you at first but make no mistake, Tre Scott is a great player. Scott is going to be a key player for the Cats again and will be a great side piece for UC point guard Jarron Cumberland (a player who will feature later on).

9. Laquincy Rideau

How about some love for South Florida and Laquincy Rideau? One can’t just leave off the American Athletic Conferences Defensive Player of the Year from your list of best-returning players. What a weapon he will be this year for South Florida, he’ll be a menace for opposing teams guards just like he was last year on both sides of the ball. Known for his defense but Rideau did more than his fair share for the Bulls last year averaging 13 points, almost four rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. A slight improvement in his scoring and passing game will see him as a serious candidate to make an All-Conference Team.

8. Nate Hinton

Nate Hinton will be next on the list, the extremely talented guard came off the bench last year behind Brooks and Davis. With those two gone Hinton is in line to see an increase in workload. Off the back of an extremely successful freshman campaign, Hinton featured in all 37 of the Cougars games averaging seven points, four rebounds, and one assist per game, good enough to earn him a spot on the All-Freshman team. Hinton went with Houston on their summer tour to Italy this summer but has yet to feature in any games for the Cougars so far due to a reported illness. Regardless, Houston will have great depth in their backcourt this season and Hinton should play a big role for Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars,